Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on ‘Evangelism after Lockdown: A Passion for Life 2022’ with John Stevens, Andy Paterson, Rico Tice, and John MacKinnnon.

1. Our task is to testify to the deliverance we’ve received in Jesus and call people to experience this deliverance themselves while we wait for Him to return in judgment.

2. Coronavirus Regulations Update for England from 29 March.
– Stay at home lifted but stay as local as possible.
– Qualifying groups of max 6 people including children or of 2 households can meet outdoors including private gardens. A linked childcare household is treated as a single household.
– Qualifying groups must not mix or mingle with other groups outdoors.
– Organised outdoor sports (children and adults).
– Outdoor children’s activities.
– Outdoor parents and child groups (max 15 parents) but not in private gardens.
– Weddings with max 6 and funerals with max 30.
– Support groups of max 15 can meet indoors – but not in private premises.
– Can meet indoors for work and provision of charitable services like foodbanks.
– Can meet for education and training – but must be some form of accredited qualification.
– Fixed penalty notice £200-6,400 for breaching rules on gathering. £10,000 for organising gathering of more than 30 people.
– No further changes to rules on gathering expected until 17 May when will allow 6 people / 2 households to meet indoors and 30 people outdoors. On 12 April there are minor changes that apply to youth and children’s activities.
– Nothing heard in relation to singing, including singing outdoor and whether there will be a special Easter dispensation.

3. A Passion for Life 2022 vision is to see the gospel of Christ proclaimed in every community to every generation across the UK and Ireland. It has a strap-line of ‘A month of mission, A lifetime of evangelism.’ You can watch a video introducing it HERE.

4. Pastors are weary and leading churches full of weary members and yet there are opportunities the current crisis is providing to speak the good news of Jesus into. Because of cancelled plans, people know they are not in control and the death toil has shown that life is fragile.

5. Church leaders need to be modelling evangelism ourselves.

6. The Lord is the great evangelist.

7. A gospel outline is better than nothing.

8. We are the only ones with real answers to the question “What are you going to do with sin and death?”

9. There are going to be materials to train the church family for evangelism with different modules we can pick and match depending on our situation.

10. To encourage development of a mission culture there is a podcast. A podcast. Yes, another podcast. I’m sure it is good but I have no space in my life for another one.

11. Recognise that hybrid evangelism (in person and digital) will be a feature of church life going forward.

12. Rico’s 2 headings: Come and hear | Go and tell. Come and hear is about evangelism we do at church. Go and tell is about equipping to go out and do personal evangelism.

Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on ‘Banning Conversion Therapy’ with John Stevens and from The Christian Institute, Sharon James and Simon Calvert.

1. God will bless His people because Jesus perfected feared and obeyed the Father. Jesus is entitled to the covenant blessings, and we share in them because we are included in Him by faith, and He gives them to us by His grace. These blessing we enjoy are primarily spiritual now but we do look forward to the physical enjoyment of them in the new creation.

2. Coronavirus Guidance Update.
– From 8 March meet one person outdoors, not just for exercise.
– Weddings with 6 people only until 29 March. No longer limited to exceptional circumstance.
– From 29 March meet max 6 people / 2 households (including private gardens).
– No change on guidance against singing indoors or outdoors [Public Health England not ready to lift the guidance].
– No promise of end to social distancing and face coverings indoors after 21 June.
– Possibility of reintroduction of restrictions in the Autumn [gov. going for a realistically cautious approach].
– Possibility of special Easter dispensation regarding singing – still waiting to hear.

3. What is conversion therapy? According to the campaign group, Ban Conversion Therapy, “Conversion therapy includes medical, psychiatric, psychological, religious, cultural or any other interventions that seek to erase, repress or change the sexual orientation and/or gender identity of a person.”

4. Government is committed to introducing legislation for outlawing conversion therapy. Debate took place in Parliament on Monday 8 March 2021. None of the Christian MPs prepared to speak against the legislation were selected to speak in the ballot. All the MPs that spoke supported the ban without qualification.

5. People should be protected from quack therapists and abuses. The extreme stories you hear concern activities already illegal in UK, covered by a memorandum of understanding, or things that no longer take place because of cultural changes.

6. The way the ban of conversion therapy is being presented would restrict our ability to call people to repent. We need to be free to proclaim God’s perfect moral standards, to be faithful to teach the whole counsel of God, to introduce sinners to the Saviour, and to help sinners follow Jesus’ teaching.

7. We believe in conversion not conversion therapy.

8. All of us have struggles in areas when it comes to sanctification. None of us will become temptation-free in this life.

9. We preach repentance of all sins. The ban would says that certain sins are out of bounds when it comes to repentance.

10. There must be room for preaching God’s Word, for believers to receive prayer and pastoral support for whatever temptation they are struggling with.

11. There could be a situation when we are allowed to pray for help for people to resist the temptation of heterosexual pornography, but to pray for help resisting homosexual pornography would be illegal.

12. The goal of this campaign appears to be stopping the teaching and application of biblical sexual ethics.

13. Legislation could lead to not just church leaders or pastors finding themselves in trouble, but the member of the church who prays for a friend. Even parents teaching their children could end up being criminalised.

14. This is using the law to settle a theological dispute as to whether homosexual practice is a sin.

15. Some of the prominent campaigners for a ban call themselves ‘evangelical’ which means that people in society no longer think that evangelical faith means believing homosexuality is prohibited by Scripture.

16. We need to speak about this issue in a helpful way, including the relevant qualifiers. Be clear what we are not defending.

17. There may need to be a ban but it is possible to do so in way that does not impinge on religious freedoms and the ordinary work of the church.

18. The Christian Institute have produced a helpful briefing paper on this topic HERE.

Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on Easter Evangelism in Lockdown with John Stevens and a panel of gospel workers.

1. God alone can restore His people as He is restoring His people from exile through the cross and resurrection.  He is at work building His house, protecting His city, and gathering His people.  Jesus’ resurrection means our gospel work is not vain.  We can labour in trust and confidence.

2. The backdrop for evangelism this Easter is leading the church out of lockdown.  How do we regather well after lockdown?

3. It has been difficult to connect with those who have accessed our ministries online over the last year.

4. In addition to publicising to contacts and via social media Good Friday/Easter Sunday Services both in-person and online, here are some other evangelistic ideas.
– One minute testimony videos for social media answering question ‘Why Easter changed my life’
– Distribute to care homes, neighbours, delivery drivers Hope for Easter CDs.
– Johnny Prime’s Who Moved the Stone? drama [use recorded video or act it out as a church on zoom] with short gospel talk.

5. Ed Drew and Faith in Kids have some brilliant resources available for free.
– Zoom Easter Script [backdrops available]
– Weekend of Wonder
– Homes of Hope [trail around the community]
– Escape Room [virtual]
– Easter Assembly
– Easter Bake Along [Saturday 27 March 2pm]

6. Can you drop of materials or ingredients to families so they can take part in some of the Faith in Kids activities?

7. Of course 10ofthose.com have plenty of Easter Outreach resources.
– Could you set up a book table with this Easter giveaway box?
– Who could you send an Easter card to with tract and CD included?

Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on How to keep refreshed in lockdown with John Stevens, Johnny Prime and a panel of gospel workers.

1. Jesus came to end the exile and restore the fortunes of His people. We have been given the task of bringing in the harvest by sowing the Word of God and gathering in God’s people. As we do this there will be both tears and joy at the same time.

2. COVID Guidance Update: Restarting Children and Youth Activities.
– At present indoor and outdoor provision is allowed for vulnerable children and young people plus for children of critical workers (where reasonably necessary to enable parents/carers to work, search for work, undertake education or training, or attend a medical appointment or address a medical need).
– From 8th March same as above except critical workers element removed. Indoor and outdoor provision for children where reasonably necessary to enable parents/carers to work, search for work, undertake education or training, or attend a medical appointment or address a medical need.
– From 29th March outdoor provision for all children and outdoor parent and child groups with up to 15 parents (leaders/helpers of this group not included in the 15).
– From 12th April (at earliest) indoor and outdoor provision for children as normal and indoor parent and children groups with up to 15 parents.
– This practically means that we won’t be able to run Sunday School, Midweek Children’s and Youth Groups, Parent and Toddler Groups until after 12th April.

3. Additional guidance about how Children and Youth Activities are run.
– Social distancing, handwashing, cleaning etc is assumed.
– Where all children are under 5, the maximum group size is determined by number of adults present.
– Where any children over 5, they should be in small consistent groups of no more than 15 (multiple groups of 15 are allowed to run in small space provided distancing between groups is in place).
– Secondary school age children should wear face coverings indoors including in classrooms/during activities unless 2m social distancing can be maintained.
– Where children are primary school age or below – staff and adult visitors should wear face coverings where social distancing between adults is not possible.
– These measures will be in place until Easter and then reviewed.
– Ideally children should attend only one out-of-school setting in addition to school which is local to their home or school (within walking or cycling distance).
– Parents and carers should not be allowed into the setting unless it is essential.

4. Our spiritual freshness is linked to our continued proclamation of our Lord. However, it is not uncommon for those in ministry at present to share how they feel stale, drained or spiritual dry. Some shared causes of this include missing interaction with others ‘one-anothering’; choosing to withdraw from people which is easier; having to stay in the house; not being able to enjoy the means of grace with God’s people; finding that everything that made you feel fruitful was ripped from you overnight; overwhelmed and exhausted by task of adapting everything; feeling like you are in survival mode.

5. What has been helpful in keeping you fresh personally? Meeting with staff team regular and praying with them; hearing from mission partners who have had to persevere in difficult situations; spending a hour reading God’s Word and a good book; having eyes open to the evidence of God’s grace in every context – refreshed by seeing what the Lord is doing; using words of Anglican morning prayer service which give words when finding it hard to pray; going through the Psalms in a month; stillness before the Lord placing self in personal surrender; less hurried time with the Lord; read books/listen to podcasts that focus on who God is rather than what I must do to be a good Christian; Bible memorisation; journalling – discipline of expressing something on paper; recognise that there is nothing wrong with letting other Christians feed you in your quiet time (sermons/light commentaries).

6. Those who have been in ministry for a long time have a back catalogue of experience to draw on which can make you feel like you are in control. This crisis had made it feel like you are in the first year of ministry all over again and out of your depth. This is a gift from God to teach dependence upon Him rather than your experience.

7. Book recommendation: Jesus lover of my soul by Julian Hardyman. It is right to see Song of Songs as a picture of the relationship with Christ and the church and the individual members of the church.

8. Lord Jesus every morning wants to hear my voice. Quiet time is not primarily about me. Jesus really likes it when I turn up. In Christ I am lovely to Christ.

9. No update on guidance regarding singing either indoors or outdoors.

10. Reminder that even though over 70s have been vaccinated the Government Guidance for that age group still remains in place at present.

11. Be aware that when all restrictions removed on 21st June, people whose life has been on hold for a year will want to see family or friends and get away, so don’t be surprised if church does not regather straightaway. It will most likely be a gradual process.

Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on Caring for Medics in Church and a Medical COVID Update with John Stevens, Dr Peter Saunders and Dr Felicia Wong.

1. In our journey from exile to the promised land we are in a hostile world.  Our inheritance (this world) is ruled by the wicked.  But we can trust God because the rule of the wicked will end.  God’s people are secure, the wicked will be removed, and the upright will be blessed.  Therefore we should pray for God to act.

2. The roadmap out of lockdown is going to be slow and cautious.  The return to normality will not be until the end of June at the earliest and it is unlikely that the pace will be faster.

3. Implications of the roadmap for social distancing and singing.
– At present there is no change to the guidance on corporate singing or in social distancing (2m or 1m+ with other mitigations).
– Earliest dates for ending social distancing is 21 June but no guarantee of this.  Could be then that mask wearing is still required.

4. Implications of the roadmap for indoor corporate worship.
– Churches in England are open.
– At present no mixing/mingling outside household group at church.
– Gradual relaxing: 17 May – groups of 6 people or 2 households; 21 June – no legal restrictions on social mixing.

5. Implications of the roadmap for outdoor corporate worship.
– Outdoor services allowed in church car park, courtyard, garden but no mixing or mingling.
– Gradual relaxing: 29 March – groups of 6 or 2 households; 17 May – up to 30 meet outdoors; 21 June – no legal restrictions on social mixing.

6. Implications of the roadmap for weddings.
– At present weddings only allowed in exceptional circumstances with max of 6 attenders.
– Gradual relaxing: 29 March – weddings permitted with max of 6 attenders; 12 April – weddings and receptions with max of 15 attenders; 17 May – weddings and receptions with max of 30 attenders; 21 June – no legal restrictions on social gatherings.

7. Implications of the roadmap for funerals.
– At present funerals up to 30 attenders and wakes with max of 6.
– Gradual relaxing: 29 March – funerals 30, wakes 15; 17 May – funerals 30, wakes 30; 21 June – no legal limits on social gatherings.

8. Implications of the roadmap for pastoral care and small groups.
– At present ‘support groups’ for up to 15; visits to provide care and assistance to vulnerable, visit the dying, provide help in emergency, exercise with one person outside.
– Gradual relaxing: 8 March – meet one person outside socially; 29 March – group of 6 or 2 households outside inc. private gardens; 17 May – 30 people outside / groups of 6 or 2 households indoors; 21 June – no legal restrictions on social meetings.

9. Implications of the roadmap for children and youth ministry.
– Not possible at present unless support group or to provide care for children of key workers.  A genuine children’s service as an act of worship rather than additional activities is currently allowed.
– Gradual relaxing: 8 March – outside possibility that something in limited numbers allowed by won’t know until guidance published; 29 March – organised sports for adults and children permitted / outdoor parent and child groups for up to 15 parents; 12 April – all indoor children’s activities permitted / indoor parents and child groups with up to 15 parents; 21 June – no legal restrictions on social gatherings.

10. Worldwide the global number of cases of COVID are dropping dramatically.

11. 2.5 million deaths about to be recorded making it the 7th worst plague in world history in terms of deaths.

12. UK has 5th highest numbers of death in world from COVID.  Significantly higher than other island nations.  But is a world leader in vaccine rollout with aim that all adults offered first dose of vaccine by 31 July.  Vaccine rollout has reduced hospital admissions and is leading to the easing of restrictions.  There is still some ways to go but there are good reasons to be optimistic.

13. There are 3 new variants (UK, South African, Brazilian).  We are in early days in terms of their spread.  The vaccine is less effective but not markedly so against these variants.

14. The big push now is for the vaccine to be sent to poor nations.

15. The pandemic has led to the rich getting richer (Big tech. doing very well) and the poor getting poorer.

16. Of the healthcare workers in our churches, there will be some on the frontline doing the work, others off sick with COVID or other health issues, some who are shielding or vulnerable and not able to work, then others who have been deployed into other areas they have not worked before.

17. How are doctors and nurses feeling?  Tired from relentless work, drained, emotionally fatigued at suffering, lonely and isolated, spiritually dry.  Some are feeling out of their depths.  Others who are unable to work feeling guilty.  Likely increase in mental health and PTSD among workers.

18. Some Christian doctors and nurses have reported an increase appreciation for the urgency of the gospel, colleagues being open to talking about life, death and God, the need for the hope of Jesus Christ.

19. How can you support medics in your church?
– Walk alongside them in love.  Check in on them and pray for them.
– Prayer support – dedicated prayer meeting or prayer team.
– Offer 1-2-1 walks or meet ups – because of shift work they might be available during the day but also  unable to get to church.
– Remind them of important of rest.
– People to get in touch with them and encourage them.

20. What to pray for medic?  Pray for comfort, strength, wisdom, peace which comes from the Lord.  Pray they would know God’s grace is sufficient.  Pray they would see the work God has called them to as ministry.  Pray that they wouldn’t just get through this but have gospel opportunities.  Pray that they would know God is with them in the suffering and that there will be an end to it.  Pray they would know Jesus as their only hope and that their identity is in Christ.

21. CMF 7 Day Prayer Guide available HERE.

22. A reminder that though the government is allowing us to do certain things at certain stages, many in congregation may not feel safe or ready to do so and we need to be aware of this.

Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on Caring for Families and Children in Lockdown with John Stevens, Kathryn Jackson, Pete Woodcock and Dean Dryden.

1. As we journey from exile into the presence of God, we can be reassured that God will bring His people safely to His intended destination because His help ensures that we are not destroyed by our enemies.  We are assailed by our enemies; Satan rages against God’s church plus cultural enemies that want to ban us, marginalise us, and stamp us out, but we will not be destroyed because God is our help and He is on our side.

2. As we look back to the past and praise God for what He has done, it gives us confidence that God will help us in the present.  God is today our help.  He is the sovereign Creator who has entered into a covenant with His people, and if He is for us, who can be against us.

3. There is not a silver bullet with working with families at the moment.  Scale of strain on families is huge and we cannot solve these problems.

4. This lockdown is different to the first one.  In the first lockdown there was enthusiasm.  This lockdown people are finding it exhausting, relentless, isolating, tense, emotionally fraught, tedious, monotonous.  Parents are just tired.

5.  It is safe to make the assumption that parents are tired.  Beyond that don’t make to many more assumptions with every family different.  Their experience will be unique based on a combination of factors: are kids in school because they are key workers, age of children and how independent they are, pressure of job or whether they’ve been made redundant, do children have special needs, size of home, financial position, children’s personality types, and so on.  There is no universality of experience.

6. There could be a good legacy to this with our children but most parents are not in a place right now to see this.

7. As ministers we are to show empathy but also to encourage and lead them in this situation by giving them a bigger vision and remind them what God is doing.

8. Nine principles
– Keep your head – keep going, keep believing in the Word of God.
– Lead with confidence in God – God know these times.
– Obey the law – and go to the limit of the law.
– What can we do attitude rather than what we can’t do – what can we do in this situation that is going to help our people.
– Do loads of things if you can.
– Teach people to take their eyes off themselves and look at other people.
– Don’t be on your own – try to team up with others somehow.
– Try to have a laugh.
– Remember the church is not just made up of families – church is family and don’t forget the older people or single people.
Plus a tenth – pray!

9. Have confidence that though Sunday meetings at the moment are hard for families they are also good for families.  Encourage families to keep prioritising Sundays as a day of rest and worship.

10. Be a listening ear to parents.  Bless children by being a listening ear to their parents.  Model to them turning to the Lord in their struggles by praying with them.

11. If you’ve still go energy after this, a few ideas:
– Get families to think outside of their own situation – do challenges to raise money to support the persecuted church and encourage them to think about and pray for the persecuted church.
– Gather if/when you can.
– Can you run COVID-secure versions of events that would normally be in your calendar.
– Acts of kindness month – encourage every member of the congregation to do an act of kindness for another member.  Meet on Zoom to listen to stories of kindness from the Bible and pray.
– Get families involved in the Sunday service.  Get them in front of the camera and tell you how they are getting on.
– Send cards to them that go through letter box with stamps on them.

12, At the moment don’t presume a book will be a blessing to parents/families right now.  Might be better to recommend a podcast like Faith in Kids, Everyday Dadding, or Popcorn Parenting.

Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on Leading Volunteers through COVID and Beyond with John Stevens and Ray Evans.

1. We must look to God because the hostile world looks down on us.  This has consistently been the experience of God’s people.  Four things we are to remember:
– Who God is – He is the enthroned King so we can cry out with confidence because He is able to answer our cries.
– Who we are – His dependent creature so we look to Him as our Master.
– What we need – His mercy (that is, His loving-kindness).
– What we must do – we must keep looking/calling to Him to have mercy on us.

2. T + L + V = PC.  In a Prevailing Church three traits are seen and when they are, this is indicative of a church going forward.  What are these three traits? Great Bible teaching (T), Good Leadership (L), and Volunteers serving the Lord Jesus (V).

3. How do we keep volunteers working well?  An idea from Walter Wright’s Relational Leadership is the CARE plan – Clarify the mission; Agree on the goals; Review progress; Equip the team.

4. Start with why.  Volunteers feel more valued if the group is organised, valued, and they see the purpose of their work.

5. “People aren’t a team because they work together.  They are a team because they have a common purpose that is understood by everyone and that they all appreciate and value the different part each person plays in achieving it.” (Nick Fewings)

6. Volunteers in a team are there of free choice.  If voices aren’t heard, their feet will do the talking.

7. Allow the team to shape the work.  Facilitate not dictate.  Partnership is not following the leader.

8. “It’s not about ideas.  It’s about making ideas happen.” (Scott Belsky)

9. Have regular and meaningful team meetings.  2 Good, 2 Wonky – two things done well, two things that could be done better.

10. Review is not blame shifting but what can we do better.

11. Training says we are committed to you.

12. Coming out of lockdown, a danger that leaders face is putting pressure on volunteers to give more of their time, talents and treasure. Don’t give the impression that they’ve had a year of snow days.

13. “People buy into the leader before they buy into the vision.” (John C. Maxwell)

14. Before the why comes the whom. John 3:16 – “For God // so loved” – who you are as a leader is more important than the task or vision you want them to serve in.

15. Overly authoritative, aggressive assertiveness is not Christlike.

16. Be gentle with people who volunteer especially coming out of the COVID-crisis. Remember COVID for them might have meant feeling isolated, useless, bereavement, or loss of income.

Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on Not so social media? with John Stevens and Adrian Reynolds.  Adrian asked me to share about some of the opportunities and challenges of social media which are included in the takeaways below.

1. God’s people are journeying from exile into His presence.  Psalm 122 gives God’s people motivation to make that journey by anticipating the joy of being in the city of God.  We need to long for the new Jerusalem where God’s people will be together, God’s name will be praised and God’s rule will be established.  We also need to pray for the earthly anticipation of the new Jerusalem, the church.  We are to pray for the peace and unity of the church and the prosperity of the church in spiritual terms, for the sake of God’s people and the glory of the LORD.

2. No real changes in terms of lockdown updates. There have been mixed signals on the duration of lockdown restrictions.  We should anticipate and prepare for lockdown lasting longer than imagined.

3. We are made to be communicators by the God who communicates.  God’s communication is perfect, especially in the incarnation of His Son.

4. Social media definition: “forms of electronic communication through which users create online communities to share information, ideas, personal messages, and other content” (Miriam Webster). This includes WhatsApp, YouTube, etc alongside more obvious applications such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram.

5. We are almost certainly all USERS of social media, and most likely we are also all CONTENT PRODUCERS.

6. Four broad areas that church leaders can helpful use social media.  To i) Inform; ii) edify; iii) evangelise; and iv) connect.

7. Social media is a simple way to share information.  To remind congregations and members about events coming up, to pass on prayer requests and other announcements, let people know you’ve prayed for them and so on.  Church leaders can also use it to recommend books, articles, resources they discovered to other leaders.  Using social media to inform during lockdown has been a quick way to keep in touch with lots of people in the church.  It has also been a great way to find out latest gov. guidance for church (via John Stevens), plus ideas from other churches and leaders that could be beneficial for your own ministry.

8. Social media can be used to build up those in your local church.  It is a tool that can be used to encourage and teach outside the gatherings of the church.  It is also a way in which you can set an example to your flock about how to use social media in a God-glorifying and Christlike way.  During lockdown church have been able to replicate some of the ministries they had been doing prior through online services via YouTube or ZOOM; running children’s and youth groups, other small groups, 121s, and ZOOM prayer meetings.  Some churches have used WhatsApp groups more extensively, started blogs, recorded daily devotional videos.  At Banstead Community Church we’ve used the broadcast list function in WhatsApp to send out daily encouragements in the form of a couple of tweet length quote or a Bible verse every morning.

9. During lockdown, using social media for evangelism has taken off.  It has been used by churches to reach out to those in their community, to make initial contact, and actually share the gospel.  The extended reach of the Sunday service is a great way for people to try church without having to step foot in a building.  Some churches running evangelistic courses have found them to be fruitful.  Others have managed to create a bit of buzz with targeted promotion of events or with short videos of testimonies or answering apologetic questions.  At Banstead Community Church we’ve been involved in some joint evangelistic meetings over ZOOM with other local churches, and have produced videos for our parent and toddler groups and for school assemblies.

10. Social media can be helpful for connecting with people you know and those you don’t.  It facilitates seeking advice from or developing a friendship with others in ministry that can move from the online world into the real world.  Maybe you can think of people you first made contact with online, but now see face to face, or did see face to face at different times during the year.

11. There are challenges that go with social media.  Here are 9 things to make us stop and think about our use of it.
i) It is overwhelming – so many different platforms, have to learn how to use them effectively.
ii) It consumes our time – time is precious and we want to use it wisely.  We can waste lots of time on social media which stops us doing other things.
iii) It is immediate – updates second by second, it draws you in, and feeds impatience.
iv) It alters the way we communicate – relating to people online rather than face to face; non-verbal cues missing.
v) It panders to our sinful tendencies – e.g. pride, need for approval, envy, comparison, laziness, quarrelsome, anger etc.
vi) It disrupts our activity – constant buzz of smartphones, buzz of the phone can take our attention away from the task we are doing or the conversation we are having.
vii) It increases our anxiety – aware of more things brings the stress of extra knowledge; FOMO (fear of missing out); writing something that is criticised.
viii) It shapes us – moulds us for good or ill; what we behold we become.
ix) It takes place in front of a watching world – public nature of it and who is listening in.

12. I am reminded of this quote from John Piper: “One of the great uses of Twitter and Facebook will be to prove at the Last Day that prayerlessness was not from lack of time.”

13. Proverbs gives some helpful instruction about how we use words which we need to heed when communicating.
– We are to use words to help others progress.
– It is important to get our timing right when using words – learn lessons about restraint and how and when to speak up.
– We need to be honest when communicating with others.
– We should not lies in order to advance our own position (Christians on social media do this a lot – self-promotion, wanting glory, virtue signalling).
– Speaking words that are kind and gentle is a positive thing – a strong case for using words wisely and well.
– There are strong warnings about gossip and mockery, and it is easy for our words if thoughtless and insensitive to start something that goes out of control.

[And I just saw this on Twitter from Patrick Schreiner: “Think of the person that makes you the most upset on Twitter. Now pray for them. It is hard to be angry at someone you pray for”].

Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on Leading through Lockdown 3 with John Stevens and a panel of FIEC pastors.

1. The great challenge that we face is that we have a dangerous and difficult journey to the City of God.  But we have a great God, the covenanting-creator who will help and protect and He assures us that He will bring us safely to our destination.

2. Coronavirus Law & Guidance Update:
– In England places of worship remain open for communal worship.
– Churches can open for public worship and to broadcast/record.
– Outdoor worship in church garden, courtyard, car park is permitted.
– Churches cannot open for indoor prayer meetings/study groups but can for ‘support groups’ of max 15.
– Funerals are allowed for up to 30 attenders, but weddings now only in ‘exceptional circumstances’ with a max of 6 attenders.
– Sunday School and children’s groups cannot take place unless it is for child care of key workers or vulnerable children.  Though Sunday School is seen by us as part of corporate worship, as soon as you’ve got children leaving parents, the government would consider it to fall under ‘out of school’ activities.
– Advice continues to be no congregational singing, and it recommended that only 1 singer (max 3) is used (Is more than 1 singer essential to our worship services?)  Recorded singing is preferential.  The positive permission at Christmas on outdoor singing has been removed from the guidance.
– Social distancing requirements remain the same.  Public Health England spoke to Place of Worship task force to say even with new strain of virus, current social distancing are fine.
– Even though people can attend places of worship, guidance is to stay local and not travel any considerable distance.

3. With the vaccination programme in place, churches are urged to abide by law and guidance.  The freedoms churches are able to enjoy is because of the way they have been implementing the guidance.  Compliance is being monitored across denominations.

4. FIEC have updated their FAQs.

5. Whilst abiding by and obeying the law and guidance, there is flexibility for different churches to act in different ways according to what they believe is wise and best in their context.

6. General consensus is that levels of fear and anxiety have risen within church families because  of the virus is spreading.  People are feeling low, disappointed.  These feelings are cumulative because this is the third part of a long stretch without any breaks.  There is some hope because of the vaccine.  With the rollout of the vaccine, people are taking less risks in terms of coming out to in person church meetings.

7. Some churches are remaining open for services (hybrid), others have moved back to online only.  This is largely dependent on local situation regarding the virus, the make up of the church community, and resources to run physical services.  In some situations, churches have decided to close because the congregation no longer willing to attend (voting with feet).  In some settings where churches hire premises, the decision has been taken out of their hands.

8. Pray for people in the church in the morning and contact them afterwards.  Ask them what the best way of doing this is.

9. Encourage one-anothering across the congregation.

10. Smaller is best on Zoom.  Why not put organise groups of 2 in breakout rooms as that feels more like talking  to someone over coffee after church.

11. Is this an opportunity to do/try something different with your evening service?

12. Children’s and youth work and evangelism at the moment is just hard.

13. In this emotionally exhausting time, it is important for leaders to attend to their own hearts.  Important to use devotional time to replenish joy in the Lord (ideas for how to do this – listen to good Christian music to help feel the truth, listen to passionate preaching that proclaims the gospel, lean more on the insights of others).

14. Practice the discipline of thankfulness.  How did I see God’s grace yesterday?  Where do I need God’s grace today?  How can I show God’s grace today?

15. Do you need to slow down?  To pack less into your diary and create more margin time?

16. Don’t be overwhelmed by what others are able to do.

17. Exercise.  Go for a walk or run each day.

Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on How to Engage Effectively with Government with John Stevens, Nola Leach & Tim Farron MP (who is a member of an FIEC church).

1. The challenge is not to lose heart in gospel ministry.  Many pastors do lose heart because often because of perceived lack of fruit or some hardship and affliction, and there is a concern that after the COVID-crisis ends many will give up.  What reasons does Paul give to us about why we should not lose heart?  Two from 2 Corinthians 4:16-18.  Do not lose heart in gospel ministry because i) You are being renewed daily by the resurrection power of Jesus; ii) Your afflictions are gaining a lasting eternal glory because of the resurrection of Jesus.  So, fix your eyes on our unseen eternal hope of resurrection glory.  If we are going to be sustained in ministry, that is what we need to choose to do.

2. Coronavirus Update:
– Hospital patients in the UK are nearing the peak there was at worst point in April.
– There is a real fear that the NHS will be overwhelmed in January and February which are busy months anyway, especially post-Christmas relaxation of the restrictions.
– In England, London is now in Tier 3.
– Expectation is that there will be a ‘third wave’ after Christmas due to the relaxation of the rules.
– Anticipate tighter measures being introduced in January – lockdown?
– Judicial review of national lockdown failed.  The challenge to the closure of places of worship has not yet been considered.
– Travelling from Tier 3 into Tier 2 for church services is a wisdom issue rather than a rule.  Key is that those who do keep the Tier 3 rules on mixing with others.

3. Implications for Churches:
– January to March are likely to be difficult.  Easter is the new Christmas.
– Leaders and congregations are frustrated and exhausted.  Acknowledge that this is normal for the circumstances.
– Make sure you take a break after Christmas.  It is essential you are rested and refreshed.
– Plan sensibly for the next 3 months.  The challenge is going to be keeping going.
– Think in terms of sustaining ministry rather than expanding ministry in this period of time.

4. We have huge opportunities to engage positively with our government leaders nationally and locally.  We have a right to make our voice heard.  Our politicians and local representatives are there because we elected them to be there.

5. Recognise that the world will not be put right by politics.  Politics has its place, but it is not the hope of the world.

6. The state does have authority.  God has put people in government in authority over us.  This authority was established to do us good.  This doesn’t mean we are a pushover.

7. God is a God of justice.  God demands justice from His people for His world.  The moment we see injustice and speak out, we step across into the political world.  Whilst we can do things in the public arena to curb injustice and prevent people being harmed and to challenge human rights abuses, we must recognise that this is a fallen world and ultimate change won’t come until Jesus returns.

8. How do we engage with politics?  With passion and conviction that comes from our beliefs and with wisdom.

9. Develop a theology of compromise.  Compromise is not necessarily moving away from what we fundamentally believe.  We need to know what we hold firm to and where there is room to manoeuvre.  Christian MPs may not always vote in way we think they should – often they have to balance short term good with longer term gains.

10. To be wise we need to be informed.  It is easy to make knee-jerk reactions to things that happen.  We need to have facts at our disposal.  We need to have good research.  There are a myriad of Christian organisations that can provide us with good quality research.  Being informed also enables us to pray intelligently.

11. Think about the language that you use.  We note that rise of religious illiteracy in society.  Christians suffer from cultural and political illiteracy.  Learn the language so you can be understood.  The language we use to talk to a group of Christians will be different from the language we use in a world where they do not understand where we are coming from.

12. Find common ground with people.  We can work with people on certain matters who don’t share the same views as us on other matters.  We also need to decide which battles are worth the fight and which aren’t.

13. Engage with care.  Not by being abrasive or judgmental.  Engage winsomely and with respect.  If disagreeing with someone do it with respect and with a right understanding of their position.

14. Commend MPs for doing what is right.  Of the letters MPs get, the majority are critical.  Encourage the good work they are doing, and not just on the things we think are important.

15. Christians who engage with politics and politicians should not be just like another lobby group trying to twist the arms of those in power.  Christians have the opportunity to surprise politicians by not being like a lobby group and by treating them with gentleness.

16. When thinking about politics don’t panic.  In Revelation, Rome (representative of the world opposed to God’s rule) is called Babylon because it, like Babylon will end up as rubble.  But the eternal kingdom of God won’t.

17. When thinking about politics do care.  Remember how Jesus responded to Lazarus’ two sisters after his death, in those moments before He raised him back to life.  The agony, pain, grief was real, and we should care about injustices in our world.

18. If there is another lockdown, it is a bad look for churches to look for or claim special privilege in order to stay open.  We are commanded to love our neighbour and the more we mix unnecessarily, the more likely harm will come to others.  Now that there is an end in sight with the vaccine, we should not be surprised if the government decided to prevent gathered worship if tighter restrictors are needed in the short term, even though it is possible for churches to meet together safely.

Notes from FIEC Leadership in Lockdown webinar on Missional Lessons from the COVID Crisis with Ed Stetzer and John Stevens.

1. This is a time when we might be experiencing emotional feelings of loneliness and powerlessness.  Jesus encourages us at the end of Matthew’s Gospel that we are not on our own and we are not powerless, especially in the mission we have been given as His disciples.  We might feel that the task of discipling the nations is too big a task, but it is possible because Jesus promised (surely) personal (I), powerful (I am), permanent (to the very end of the age) presence (with you).  So let us not lose heart and keep focused on the mission He has given us.

2. No significant change in the regulations to do with COVID in the last week.

3.  We are not in a post-COVID world yet, but it is worth thinking through now about the post-COVID church.

4. In terms of ecclesiology, we must not let COVID create our ecclesiology, rather let our ecclesiology guide us through COVID.

5. At present we have had to adopt a “temporarily deficient ecclesiology in the emergency for the sake of the mission.”  Be careful not to articulate that moving church online is the same as it was.  Don’t normalise that which you don’t want to normalise.  It is not how it is supposed to be.  It is temporarily deficient.  We want to get back to what it was, while acknowledging that this is not how it is going to be in the long-term.

6. If we can’t meet there is something wrong and we should be bothered by it.  We are not in an Acts 4 moment at present, still following Romans 13, but not meeting as a whole church is not the way it is meant to be.  Let’s not be satisfied with this.  Church is meant to be an embodied lived together experience.

7. Whatever adaptions we have had to make in the midst of the pandemic must not undermine our long-term faithfulness.

8. A church is to be certain things: Biblically faithful, culturally relevant (or appropriate), counter culture, community of the kingdom.

9. Currently we are being stretched.  Like a body builder who is all upper body but skips leg days, so reformed evangelical churches tend to be strong on the upper body (theologically, focused on the gathering) but weaker on the lower body skipping leg days (mission driven).  But since March we’ve been on legs days, caring for people, being on mission, but this can’t be forever.  We need balance.

10. What should we doing in this period where it is not the way it is supposed to be?  1) Elevate ecclesiology by teaching on it; 2) Emphasise the emergency that it won’t be forever; 3) Engage the mission; 4) Encourage toward the right ordering of the church.

11. We are looking forward to time when we probably won’t relaunch the church, but slowly regather the church, making sure that nobody gets left behind.  Re-engaging back into church life is going to be a new experience for all of us.

12. Reality is that the margins of the church (those who attend once every couple of months) are likely to be disconnected.  They have changed their lives during COVID without the Sunday gathered experience.  They have been de-churched.

13. During this time of lockdown and restrictions there has been a shuffling in society.  Issues of transgender, race, tolerance have speeded up with cultural realities up for grabs.  Check out Ross Douthat’s article in New York Times, Waking up in 2030.  We are going to have to be faithful in the midst of this.

14. Don’t expect to go back to normal when it comes to technology.  The hybrid model is likely to remain with us.  Online is the new Mars Hill.  Expect for church to have an online presence going forward.  This will be necessary for a part of the church that won’t regather for a while (at least 6 months).

15. Pastoring has been remarkably difficult.  The number of people leaving ministry after COVID will be substantive.  Don’t give up.  For this reason Resilient Church Leadership was set up.

16. Churches that haven’t adhered to restrictions and have bound consciences, have made it difficult for local churches elsewhere.  Gathering without mitigations might energise Christians who think this is both right and courageous, but also has harmed witness in their community who may view them as putting them in danger.

17. The middle of a crisis is not the time to decide how to relate to other churches or to compromise convictions about who you can partner with.